In the clear as in no more surgery. When Rodriguez underwent surgery on his hip last spring training, which caused him to miss the first five weeks of the season, it was understood he would need more surgery this offseason.

Rodriguez, however, made a much faster recovery during the season than had been anticipated and he said in early September it looked as if he might not need another procedure. His surgeon, Dr. Marc Philippon, said before Game 2 of the ALCS that he was “90 percent” sure Rodriguez wouldn’t need another operation and he made that official to A-Rod after Monday’s evaluation in Vail, Colo.

“I would have probably ended up having surgery today at 9 a.m. if the results were not good,” Rodriguez said at the Stadium where he attended Curtis Granderson’s news conference and then made an appearance at the Yankees’ annual Food Drive outside. “But basically he was very excited. We took the MRI, he examined me and said no surgery needed.”

Rodriguez said “we’re going to check in a couple times next year,” but was otherwise ready to train as normal.

Rodriguez, who said he started throwing Wednesday, was given periodic days off last season to keep him fresh. He said he doesn’t expect that to be necessary in 2010.

“Ideally we won’t have to worry about that,” Rodriguez said. “But I think overall you still have to be aware of the situation . . . But for me, having one winter of my regular offseason workout routine would certainly help my conditioning and playing daily.”

Rodriguez said he had no further appointments scheduled with Dr. Philippon this offseason, though the doctor will make a trip to Tampa during spring training to check on A-Rod.

Rodriguez sat on the dais alongside Granderson during yesterday’s news conference and welcomed the addition of the centerfielder.

“We get a little younger, we add athleticism, power and a very good defender,” Rodriguez said. “How that effects your offense is to be determined over the next eight months.”

As for his first offseason as a World Series champion, Rodriguez said he’s enjoyed it, spending a large portion of it with his two daughters.

“It’s been good,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been down in Miami spending time with my girls and it’s been nice. Just having the chance to let it all soak in a little bit. It’s been really good.”

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